Course format: Lecture: 1:30P-3:10P, TWRF, JH A100.
Requirements: Biol. L311 or S311.
Course description: The primary goal of this course is to understand
the processes generating, shaping and maintaining the diversity of
life. In the first section of the course we will learn the “nuts &
bolts” of the evolutionary process by discussing natural selection
and other mechanisms of evolutionary change. We’ll also learn methods
of detecting selection in natural populations and of testing adaptive
hypotheses. In the second section of the course, we’ll use the tools
we’ve gained to rigorously challenge the theory of evolution by
natural selection. We’ll do this by applying the theory to a suite of
questions (e.g. why is there sex?, why do things die?, why is there
disease?) and examining the empirical evidence. In the final section
of the course, we’ll discuss how new species arise, learn how to
infer relationships among species, and examine the patterns and
processes that describe and explain the history of life.
Required text: “Evolutionary Analysis”, by Freeman and Herron.
Weekly assignments: Readings, quizzes and worksheets.
Exams/papers: One midterm exam and one comprehensive final exam.